children eye care

Back-To-School: Why [Eye_Exams] Are More Important Than Ever

Since the onset of COVID-19, many children have been learning remotely through distance learning programs. While parents are concerned about their children falling behind academically, eye doctors are concerned that undiagnosed vision problems may impact the child’s school performance.

Undetected vision problems may hinder a child’s ability to learn. That’s why eye doctors strongly recommend that children undergo a thorough eye exam before the new school year begins.

While it’s tempting to rely on vision screenings provided by schools, these superficial visual acuity tests can identify only a limited number of eyesight problems. Only a comprehensive eye exam conducted by an eye doctor can accurately diagnose and address a wide range of problems related to vision and eye health.

Why Are Eye Exams Important?

Up to 80% of children’s learning is visual, so even the slightest vision problem can have a negative impact on their academic achievement. Taking a child in for an eye exam once a year will allow your eye doctor to detect and correct refractive errors like myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism, and check their visual skills, such as convergence insufficiency, binocular vision, focusing and more.

Comprehensive eye exams are the best way to detect mild and serious eye health conditions. Routine eye exams are especially important for children with a family history of eye health problems.

How Is Vision Affected By Online Learning?

The amount of time children spend looking at digital screens was already a concern in the pre-pandemic era—but the COVID pandemic has only exacerbated the issue. According to the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, children spent twice as much time on screens during COVID-related closures than they did prior to the pandemic.

For one thing, spending prolonged periods of time on digital devices forces the eyes to work harder, making children (and adults) more susceptible to digital eye strain, one of the hallmark symptoms of computer vision syndrome. People who spend 2 or more consecutive hours staring at a screen are at higher risk of developing this condition.

Some computer vision syndrome symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Dry eyes
Eye fatigue
Eye pain
Headaches
Neck and shoulder pain

These symptoms can be caused by a combination of the following factors:

Glare and reflections from the screen
Excessive time looking at a screen
Poor lighting
Poor posture
Screen brightness
Undetected vision problems

In addition to digital eye strain, several studies have found that children who spend many hours indoors doing “near work” — writing, reading and looking at computers and other digital devices — have a higher rate of myopia progression.

A study published in the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s professional journal, Ophthalmology, found that first-graders who spent at least 11 hours per week playing outside in the sunshine experienced slower myopia progression. Some researchers think that exposure to sunlight and looking at distant objects while playing outdoors might help decrease myopia progression.

While regular eye exams are essential for every member of the family, they’re especially important for those who spend a good portion of their day in front of a screen.

Don’t put off your child’s annual eye exam. Schedule an appointment with Eye Trends in Conroe today!

Q&A

1. At what age should a child have an eye exam?

According to the American and Canadian Optometric Associations, it’s recommended for a child to have their first eye exam between 6-12 months of age.

Before a child starts school, they should undergo an eye exam, and every one to two years after that, based on their eye doctor‘s recommendation.

2. Does my child need an eye exam if they passed the school vision screening?

Yes! School vision screenings are superficial eye evaluations designed to diagnose a limited number of vision problems like myopia. They do not check for visual skills and other problems that may hinder your child’s academic success.

Your eye doctor will evaluate your child’s vision and eye health, along with visual abilities, including depth perception and eye tracking, to let you know whether your child’s eyes are “school-ready.”

Dangers of “iPad Eyes” For Children

Should you take your kid’s iPad away to help avoid iPad eye strain?

The rate of myopia (you probably know this condition as “nearsightedness”) is soaring higher and higher among kids in America. Eye strain and dry eyes are also on the rise in children. Could iPads and smartphones be the cause?

Link between eyesight and iPads for Children

When we perform kids’ eye exams in Conroe, The Woodlands, and Spring, Greenspoint, Kingwood, Houston, Texas, our eye doctors diagnose a stronger prescription yearly for many kids with myopia. According to the National Eye Institute, this phenomenon is occurring throughout the entire country – reaching epidemic proportions.

Can iPads cause eye problems in children? One reason for the connection between vision and children’s favorite digital gadgets is the way fun technology discourages outdoor playtime. Nowadays, many kids miss out on kicking or hitting a ball and using their eyes to look into the distance. Instead, they sit on the couch, streaming videos and engaging in handheld combat games. Only near vision is required for these indoor activities.

Blue light emissions

Without exception, blue light is emitted by all digital devices. The dangers of blue light on future eye health have been researched and documented. Overexposure to blue light can put children at an increased risk of early-onset macular degeneration and cataracts in the future.

As the shortest, highest-energy wavelength, blue light also flickers and reduces the visual contrast of computer displays – making it harder for the eye to focus. Eye strain, a classic symptom of computer vision, is a common complaint among adults and children alike who use computers.

Overexposure to artificial blue light, especially in the evening, also messes with kids’ circadian rhythms, making it harder to slip into a restful sleep at night.

While people of all ages can suffer from eye strain and future eye health problems due to blue light, children are particularly vulnerable to problems caused by digital screentime, because their eyes are still developing. Nowadays, it’s not unusual to see young kids at age 3 (or even 2 year old toddlers!) watching videos on a phone or playing computer games. At this early stage of life, their visual system is forming, making the hazards of blue light even more forceful and risky.

How to safeguard kids’ eyes

Just like you slather sunscreen on their skin to block harmful UV rays, you need to protect kids’ eyes from artificial blue light that shines from digital technology. Blue-light blocking shields are available for the phone, computer, or iPad. These guards can reduce the amount of blue light emissions by as much as 70%.

Limiting screen time is an even better solution! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children 18 months and younger shouldn’t spend any time on a digital device, and kids between 18 months and 2 years should only be allowed minimal access. As children get older, it’s tricky to set a specific amount of daily time – but you should make a strong effort to limit their screen time. Being physical with sports and outdoor play is much healthier for their whole body.

Book an eye exam near you

Children should have a baseline eye exam around age 5 from a qualified pediatric eye doctor. Consideringtoday's spread of technology it's important to help reduce eye strain with iPads. With six offices in Conroe, The Woodlands, and Spring, Greenspoint, Kingwood, Houston, Texas, we offer an experienced eye doctor near you!

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Why Computer Use Can Cause Dry Eye & Eye Strain

Is Your Job Placing You at a Higher Risk For Dry Eye?

How Smartphone Apps Help Low-Income Communities

Dilation for Pediatric Eye Exams

Are dilating eye drops necessary for kids?

Children’s eye exams are important for many reasons. Kids need to see clearly to learn and develop. Without sharp vision and a fully functional visual system, children can struggle with reading, writing, playing sports, and socializing confidently. If your kid falls behind in any of these normal parts of growing up, he or she may feel like a failure. Poor self-esteem leads to a mixed bag of problems, including behavioral issues and learning difficulties. So don’t be negligent when it comes to scheduling yearly eye exams for your child!

To ensure that pediatric eye exams are comprehensive and accurate, dilation is usually recommended. This means special dilating eye drops will be inserted to enlarge your child’s pupils. Learn why we perform dilation when your child has an eye exam at one of our Eye Trends offices in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, Greenspoint, Kingwood, and Houston, Texas.

Why insert dilating eye drops for a pediatric eye exam?

There are several important reasons for dilation, including:

By relaxing the focusing muscles of the eye, theeye doctorcan detect vision disorders and measure refractive error more precisely
Wider view of the entire eye structure; dilating eye drops enable the eye doctor to view 15% more of the inside and back of the eye, allowing a more complete evaluation of eye health and certain systemic conditions
Young, nonverbal kids cannot provide clear or reliable feedback about their vision, and they don’t always notice problems; dilating eye drops enable a more objective testing process

How are the dilating eye drops delivered?

Your child will tilt their head back and we will quickly place the drops into their eyes. Any excess eye drops will be wiped dry. It takes about 20-25 minutes for dilation to take full effect. During that time, you and your child will sit in the waiting area.

How long does the dilation last?

Typically, kids will have enlarged pupils for several hours. Sometimes (although rarely), the dilation might remain until the next day. If this occurs, it is a normal reaction that depends largely on the type of eye drops used and the color of the kid’s eyes.

What are the side effects of dilating eye drops?

The moment that the drops are applied, some stinging may be felt. But it passes momentarily. Until pupils return to normal size, vision may then be blurry. The effects are not too bothersome for most kids, and they can still function normally. However, they’ll have light sensitivity. To alleviate this problem, wearing sunglasses will be helpful; we’ll provide a pair of disposable sunglasses to wear after the exam. (Kids usually love them!) Generally, children can return to school afterwards, but it’s advised to make teachers aware of blurred vision. Allergic reactions are uncommon, but if they occur, red eyes and eyelid swelling may be experienced.

The value of pediatric eye exams with dilation

In sum, a comprehensive pediatric eye exam with dilation may cause some discomfort or blurriness for your child for a few hours, but this inconvenience is definitely easier for kids to deal with than the potentially life-changing effects of growing up without clear, healthy, and functional vision.

Come visit with your kids! Our eye doctors in Conroe, The Woodlands, and Spring, Greenspoint, Kingwood, Houston, Texas, care about children’s long-lasting vision. We’re experienced in performing pediatric eye exams with dilation for all ages, from babies to teens.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Does Your Child Have 20/20 Vision Yet Still Struggles In School?

Preventing Concussions With Sports Vision Exercises

Will Wearing Glasses Weaken My Eyes?

Building Your Child’s Confidence Through Vision Therapy

We all know that success tends to be accompanied by confidence. However, because children with visual dysfunctions struggle to perform daily tasks, whether academic or otherwise, their confidence is adversely affected. For example, a 7-year-old child struggling to read will likely refuse to read aloud in the classroom in order to hide his or her challenge. This problem may result in poor grades and the inability to keep up with the class. Over time, this could cause the child to become frustrated and have a negative self-image, leading the child to see him or herself as a “failure”.

It’s quite common for reading struggles and other school-related endeavors to be attributed to a learning disability, when in fact, the child may have undetected poor visual skills. Basic vision screenings do not assess visual skills and won’t catch functional vision problems, such as poor eye teaming, poor focus, or how the eyes move while reading. Only a functionaleye exam can determine whether a child is struggling with visual difficulties and assess whether vision therapy can help develop and improve these skills. It’s important to note that even a child with 20/20 vision can have a visual dysfunction that interferes with learning.

Vision therapy helps thousands of children a year. The vision therapy program offered at Vision Therapy Center At Eye Trends can help your child by retraining the brain and eyes to work in unison — offering them their best chance at success.

What Is Vision Therapy?

Vision therapy (VT) is a progressive treatment program made up of a variety of eye exercises, personalized to fit the needs of each child. The goal of vision therapy is to develop or enhance fundamental visual skills and abilities while increasing visual comfort and processing. Each treatment session takes place at the office once or twice a week under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Roach.

To further support in-office treatment and accelerate progress, certain visual exercises are expected to be performed at home on a regular basis.

VT has been proven to improve the following eye conditions:

Ambylopia (lazy eye)
Strabismus (eye turn)
Binocular vision problems
Focusing/accommodative disorders
Visual-Perceptual difficulties
Eye movement problems
Visual disorders resulting from brain injury

As part of the therapeutic process, vision therapists turn to various tools, such as specialized lenses, prisms, patches, filters, balance boards, and digital simulations.

Building confidence through vision therapy from EyeCarePro on Vimeo.

Improved Vision Can Impact Confidence Levels

At the risk of sounding cliche, vision therapy can change lives — especially in children whose vision problems are at the root of academic or other vision-related struggles. Children who once experienced difficulty reading or playing certain sports due to vision problems will now have the skills needed to excel in those areas, leading to improved self-confidence and a feeling of competence.

When simple tasks become obstacles, children may become frustrated, or even angry. For this reason, VT also assists with behavioral issues. Once these daily tasks become easier to perform, episodes of frustration diminish in frequency.

Improving a child’s visual skills with VT allows them to become better learners, and helps them achieve their academic goals. In fact, VT can be a key component in preparing a child for higher education, as increased success can develop a greater belief in one’s abilities. This newfound confidence will inevitably trickle into other areas positively impacting the quality of life and achievements.

With vision therapy, schoolwork, sports, and other daily activities that were once challenging become easier.

The trained visual skills developed through vision therapy empowers the child and shows them that they, too, can succeed. Don’t let poor visual skills hinder your child or yourself from accomplishing goals. Speak with Dr. Lisa Roach to discover how vision therapy can unlock your or your child’s hidden potential. Call Vision Therapy Center At Eye Trends today.

Vision Therapy Center At Eye Trendsprovides vision therapy and other services to patients from Houston, Spring, Woodlands, Conroe, and throughout Texas.

Request A Vision Therapy Appointment

Find Out If Vision Therapy Can Help You! Call Our Offices!

Effects of Myopia & Vision on Success in School

We are born with five senses, and they all need to work efficiently to optimize learning and development throughout all parts of daily life. In the classroom, the sense of vision is particularly important for academic success. That’s why the American Optometric Association recommends to bring all kids for regular eye exams – starting from a half-year old! If your child has an undetected or untreated vision condition, such as Nearsighted (Myopia), it can have serious effects on their ability to learn. At Eye Trends, our eye doctors are experts at performing pediatric eye exams gently and thoroughly. To make it easy for you to bring your kids, we have four conveniently located eye care centers in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and Greenspoint, Texas.

What is myopia?

Myopia is the official term for nearsightedness, the most common vision condition diagnosed in children. According to recent statistics, nearly 40% of the population in the US has myopia! When left untreated, it can blur all distance vision, which makes it hard for kids to focus on a classroom board or screen.

Myopia occurs when your eyeball is too elongated or your cornea is too curved. Usually, it appears during elementary school and can continue to worsen until around age 20. If one or both parents are nearsighted, the child has a higher chance of this condition. Spending a lot of time using digital devices along with spending less time playing outdoors has led to an increased rate of myopia in children.

How can nearsighted vision affect school performance?

Visual materials are an integral part of classroom learning. If your child has myopia, he or she may find it challenging to read notes that the teacher writes on a whiteboard or smartboard, or clearly see any visual presentations in the classroom. The longer a child goes without treatment for myopia, the more frustrating the school experience will be. Instead of facilitating learning like it should, vision will get in the way. The child and teacher may worry that the child has a reading problem, but the real problem may be corrected easily with a pair of eyeglasses.

Even outside of the classroom, such as on the playing field and when socializing in the cafeteria, myopia can compromise performance – and interfere with a child’s self-confidence.

What are warning signs of myopia?

Parents and teachers should watch out for these behaviors, all of which can point to nearsighted vision and a need for treatment:

Holding books close to the face
Getting confused easily because of missed visual cues
Fear or hesitancy to participate in sports
Sitting very close to the TV
Rubbing eyes
Squinting or closing one eye to read

How is myopia treated?

The most conventional treatment for myopia is prescription single-vision eyeglasses or contact lenses. If your child has a more complicated vision prescription, then bifocal or progressive addition lenses may be needed. Only a qualified eye doctor can determine the child’s precise prescription.

To help your child succeed in school – book routine eye exams with our eye doctor in Conroe, The Woodlands, Spring, and Greenspoint, Texas.

At Eye Trends, we put your family’s needs first. Talk to us about how we can help you maintain healthy vision. Call us today: 936-206-7366 or book an appointment online to see one of our Conroe eye doctors.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Top 4 Eyecare Tips for Summer Vacation

Sink That Buzzer Beater With Sports Vision Training

3 Reasons Women Are More Likely Than Men To Develop Dry Eye

Does Your Child Have Myopia? Send Them Outside!

Myopia, more commonly known as nearsightedness, is a refractive error that affects millions of adults and children worldwide. This condition occurs when a person’s eyeball is too long, or the cornea or lens has an irregular shape. A myopic eye focuses the image at the front of the retina, as opposed to directly on the retina. it is often hereditary, especially if both parents are nearsighted.

Recent studies show that the more time spent outdoors can slow the onset or progression of myopia for reasons explained below. These findings are significant, as myopia can seriously impacteye health if left untreated. At The Myopia Control Center At Eye Trends, we’re here to answer any questions you may have and ensure that your child’s myopia is under control.

How Does Spending Time Outdoors Benefit Myopia?

By spending time outdoors, children train their eyes to focus on distant objects and relax their eyes. Just as with any other muscle in the body, the muscles in the eye need to be trained and strengthened in order to produce clear vision. Experts further suggest that moderate exposure to sunlight has a positive impact on myopia and general eye health.

A recent study was conducted by the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science. The study shows that children who spend 1 extra hour outdoors each week reduce their risk of developing myopia by over 14%.

In contrast, according to the National Institute of Health, children who spend a considerable amount of time indoors watching TV or playing video games are at a significantly higher risk of developing nearsightedness.

Outdoor time should be incorporated into every child’s routine, especially those at risk of developing myopia. Parents and caregivers can make being outdoors fun by playing sports, hiking new trails, enjoying picnics or barbeques, or organizing scavenger hunts.

Why Is Slowing Myopia Progression So Important?

Myopia generally worsens over time, mostly during childhood and into the adolescent years. If your child’s prescription regularly increases, this can lead to more serious complications. Myopia progression heightens the risk of developing other eye conditions and disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal detachment. In more severe cases, permanent vision loss — or even blindness— may occur.

This is why it is crucial to monitor your child’s condition with a yearly visit to Our doctors. Not sure whether your child has myopia? Refer to the following list.

Signs of Myopia in Children

Children with myopia may exhibit any of the following:

Squinting when reading the board or watching TV
Lack of interest in playing sports that require distance vision
Positioning oneself at close proximity to the TV or screen
Sitting at the front of the classroom to clearly see the teacher and board
Holding books close to the eyes

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms or if you’ve noticed some of these behaviors, give outdoor time a try and bring him or her in to The Myopia Control Center At Eye Trends for a comprehensive eye exam. We offer evidence-based myopia management treatment to slow down the progression of nearsightedness, thus preventing severe vision loss later in life.

The Myopia Control Center At Eye Trends provides myopia management and other treatments to patients in Houston, Spring, Woodlands, Conroe, and throughout Texas.

REFERENCES:

Centre for Ocular Research & Education

National Institutes of Health

Request a Myopia Management Appointment

Want To Discuss Myopia? Call Our Offices!

Annual Eye Exams Are Essential for Adults & Kids

Expert eye care in Conroe

At every age, vision testing and eye health exams are important. But the reasons to visit our center for eye care in Cedar Park differ depending on your stage of life. With babies and children, we inspect the visual system to confirm that ocular development is normal. After the childhood years, we pay more attention to various eye problems – vision conditions, eye disease, and other abnormalities that may occur. Also, regular eye exams may uncover other health problems in your body that you didn’t know you had, such as hypertension and diabetes.

While a great deal of these issues can be treated effectively and do not cause lasting damage to your vision, some conditions can be dangerous and lead to vision loss when not treated soon enough. That’s why early detection of an eye problem is so critical for preserving your quality sight. Value your vision and book an eye exam near you!

Why kids need eye exams

You may be surprised to hear that many kids who can’t see the classroom board or spot the ball when playing sports don’t bother to complain about their vision. Children tend to adapt to how they see, and they don’t realize that there’s a problem. However, when kids have an undetected and untreated vision condition, it affects many parts of their life. Without the ability to see clearly, it becomes difficult to learn to read and write, frustration in the classroom can lead to behavioral problems, their sports coordination can suffer, and they often lose self-confidence when socializing. In general, they experience a delay in development. Our compassionate, high quality eye care near you can help kids achieve their potential!

According to the American Optometric Association’s (AOA) instructions, kids should visit their eye doctor for a comprehensive pediatric eye exam yearly before first grade. If any eye conditions are diagnosed, then it’s recommended to continue with annual eye exams. Your optometrist will provide personalized guidelines about when to return for follow-up visits.

When visiting for pediatric eye care in Conroe, parents often ask us why eye exams are needed if their child passed the school vision tests. The reason is because while routine, basic vision screening can detect nearsightedness and farsightedness, it usually fails to catch a variety of other vision conditions. Only a comprehensive eye exam near you will diagnose these problems so your child can get the necessary treatment.

An addition, relatively new vision condition to affect kids is due to excessive exposure to computers, smartphones, and other digital tech. Overexposure to UV blue light can cause digital eyestrain and computer vision and has been associated with a higher risk of many serious vision conditions. Our eye doctor is experienced in spotting the signs of these conditions, and we can recommend several ways to prevent problems and alleviate the symptoms.

Why adults need eye exams

Problems with their vision may be more obvious to adults, but there are many other types of eye problems that adults cannot notice – especially not at the early stages. A comprehensive eye exam from our experienced eye care specialist in Conroe can detect ocular problems when they first appear, before they damage your vision.

The risk of many issues that can threaten your sight increases with age, and treatments can help slow or stop vision damage. That’s why regular eye exams are critical for ensuring your long-lasting quality of sight.

If you haven’t had an eye exam in a long while, your eye doctor will first ask you questions about your family medical history and personal lifestyle. These questions will address not just your vision, but also if you have a pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart disease, hypertension, or diabetes, which may contribute to ocular problems – such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The specific tests done during your eye exam will be customized depending on your individual situation.

Also, during your detailed eye exam, less common problems that can be symptomless, including ocular cancer or tumors in your eye or brain, can be detected. Early detection of any type of eye problem is essential for a positive outcome.

Advanced eye care in Conroe – Where we watch your vision

For both children and adults, regular eye exams are the most dependable way to monitor vision for any changes or abnormalities. Call us to schedule an eye exam near you.

Want to Learn More? Read on!

4 Common Myopia Myths Debunked

Is Too Much Screen Time Dangerous For Your Kids?

What to Wear to Protect Your Eyes

Why a New Pair of Glasses Is NOT the Best Holiday Gift for Your Child

If your child is nearsighted (myopic), it may seem like a great idea to get him or her a new pair of glasses. They will surely improve how well your child sees but, unfortunately, will do nothing to slow myopia progression. You can offer your child MUCH more than a pair of specs — something that will ensure long term vision health care and quality of life: Myopia Management.

Myopia Management is made up of several treatments designed to slow down how quickly myopia, or shortsightedness, progresses. In other words, their prescription will remain the same as they grow older. The treatments include uniquely designed multifocal contact lenses, atropine eye drops, and orthokeratology (“ortho-k”). Evidence suggests that myopia management can reduce the progression of myopia by up to 60% after two years of treatment.

What Makes Myopia Management An Excellent Gift?

Currently, myopia is among the leading causes of permanent vision loss and legal blindness.

As a child quickly develops and their nearsighted vision worsens, the child is at a higher risk of developing dangerous eye diseases later in life, such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts.

To thwart any of these sight-robbing conditions, The Myopia Control Center At Eye Trends offers evidence-based treatment to prevent the onset or reduce the progression of myopia in our pediatric patients.

Myopia management enables your child to experience a more mild form of myopia than he or she would have otherwise had without treatment. Having mild-degree myopia means that your child’s likelihood of developing retinal detachment or macular degeneration is dramatically reduced.

So why don’t you make this holiday gift a particularly special one by protecting your child’s precious gift of sight. And the best part? It will pay off well after the holidays are over.

On behalf of Our doctors and the staff at The Myopia Control Center At Eye Trends in Houston, we’d like to wish you all the best for the holiday season and the New Year!

Request a Myopia Management Appointment

Want To Discuss Myopia? Call Our Offices!

Is School Work Causing Computer Vision Syndrome in Your Child?

Eye health tips for students from our Conroe eye doctor

The start of fall means back-to-school for kids of all ages – and our team at Eye Trends wishes everyone a smooth and successful return to the classroom!

When your child enters school after a summer of outdoor fun, many of the summer’s vision hazards are left behind. Yet, that doesn’t mean all eye health risks are eliminated! Nowadays, the majority of learning is computer based – exposing students’ eyes to the pain and dangers of blue light and computer vision syndrome. Fortunately, a variety of helpful devices and smartphone apps are available to block blue light and keep yourchild’s vision safe and comfortable.

To help you safeguard your child’s vision for the upcoming semesters and the long term of life, our Conroe optometrist explains all about computer vision syndrome and how to prevent it.

Symptoms of computer vision syndrome

It’s smart to familiarize yourself with the signs of computer vision syndrome. If your child complains about any of these common symptoms, you can help prevent any lasting vision damage by booking an eye exam with our Conroe eye doctor near you:

Eye irritation and redness
Neck, shoulder and back pain
Blurry vision
Dry eyes, due to reduced blinking
Headaches

Basics of blue light

Students spend endless hours in front of digital screens, be it a computer monitor, tablet, or smartphone. There is homework to be done, research to be conducted, texting with friends, and movies and gaming during downtime. All of this screen time exposes your child’s eyes to blue light.

Many research studies have demonstrated that flickering blue light – the shortest, highest-energy wavelength of visible light – can lead to tired eyes, headaches, and blurry vision. Additionally, blue light can disrupt the sleep/wake cycle, causing sleep deprivation and all the physical and mental health problems associated with it. As for your child’s future eye health, blue light may also be linked to the later development of macular degeneration and retinal damage.

How to avoid computer vision syndrome

Our Conroe eye doctor shares the following ways to block blue light and protect against computer vision syndrome:

Computer glasses, eyeglasses lenses treated with a blue-light blocking coating, and contact lenses with built-in blue light protection are all effective ways to optimize visual comfort when working in front of a screen. These optics reduce eye strain and prevent hazardous blue-light radiation from entering the eyes.
Practice the 20-20-20 rule; pause every 20 minutes to gaze at an object that’s 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple behavior gives eyes a chance to rest from the intensity of the computer or smartphone screen, preventing eye fatigue.
Prescription glasses can be helpful when using a computer for long periods – even for students who don’t generally need prescription eyewear. A weak prescription can take the stress off of your child’s eyes, decreasing fatigue and increasing their ability to concentrate. Our Conroe optometrist will perform a personalized eye exam to determine the most suitable prescription.
Moisturize vision with eye drops. One of the most common symptoms of computer vision syndrome is dry eyes, namely because people forget to blink frequently enough. Equip your child with a bottle of preservative-free artificial tears eye drops (available over the counter) and remind them to blink!
Blue light filters can be installed on a computer, smartphone, and all digital screens to minimize exposure to blue. A range of helpful free apps are also available for download.
Limit screen time for your child each day, or encourage breaks at least once an hour. Typically, the degree of discomfort from computer vision syndrome is in direct proportion with the amount of time your child spends viewing digital screens.
Set the proper screen distance. Younger children (elementary school) should view their computer at a half-arm’s length away from their eyes, just below eye level. Kids in middle school and high school should sit about 20 – 28 inches from the screen, with the top of the screen at eye level.

For additional info, book a consultation and eye exam at Eye Trends

When you and your child meet with our Conroe eye doctor, we’ll ask questions about your child’s school and study habits to provide customized recommendations on the most effective ways to stay safe from computer vision syndrome and blue light. Our optometrist stays up-to-date with the latest optic technologies and methods to prevent painful vision and eye health damage from using a computer, so you can depend on us for contemporary, progressive treatment.

Help! My Child Doesn’t Want to Wear Glasses!

Do your kids need glasses in order to see clearly? Maybe they have a strong case of nearsightedness, perhaps they have astigmatism, or another type of refractive error. Whatever the cause, getting your kids to wear eyeglasses can be a parenting challenge.

treats patients from all over Conroe, Texas with their vision correction needs. The knowledgeable, caring staff at Eye Trends can help you and your kids if they’re struggling with their glasses or don’t want to wear them.

Why Won’t My Child Wear His or Her Glasses?

To help your children get the best vision possible, you first need to understand why they’re fighting with you over their glasses. It usually stems from something physical, emotional, or social, such as:

Wrong fit
Wrong prescription
Personal style
Reactions from friends

How do you know which it is? Pay close attention to the signs, from what your kids say, to how they behave, to how they interact with others.

Physical

Improper fit is a big reason why glasses could feel uncomfortable. If they slip down, itch behind the ears, or put pressure on the bridge of the nose, it can explain why a child wouldn’t like to wear them.

If there’s been a big change to their prescription, they may need time to get used to it. If they were given the wrong prescription, they may be straining their eyes, getting headaches, or having eye fatigue. An incorrect prescription can make wearing glasses painful or awkward. It doesn’t correct their vision, either, so they’ll still see blurry images. When this happens, your eye doctor can check the prescription and make an adjustment.

Emotional

Your kids at home aren’t the same as your kids in school, on the sports field, or with their friends. They may be afraid of being made fun of in school, or they may not want the sudden attention on their appearance. These feelings can be even stronger among the tween and teen set.

Social

Even young kids can feel different when they put on a pair of glasses, especially if it’s for the first time. Feeling different or weird, in their eyes, translates to a negative experience. When wearing glasses makes them feel like the odd man out, they may not want to wear them. The last thing your child wants is to feel like a social outcast. After all, everyone wants to belong.

How We Can Help

First, bring your child in to the eye doctor for an eye exam. Our optometrist, , will check to make sure that your child has the right prescription and that any vision problems are being corrected. Next, we’ll take a look at the glasses and place them on your child’s face to determine if they’ve got the proper fit. Our optician will take care of any adjustments that need to be made.

The Vision They Need, The Style They Want

Fashion isn’t only for adults. Your budding fashionista or trendy young stud wants to look awesome, so don’t forget about style. When your kids look great, they’ll feel great! Give them the top-quality eyewear they need without compromising on style. Your kids are a lot more likely to wear glasses when they like the way they look.

What You Can Do to Help

Encourage, stay positive, and don’t give up. Avoid telling them what you want them to wear. Let them choose for themselves. In the end, they’re the ones wearing the glasses. Making decisions is an important life skill, something they’ll need as they grow up and become more independent.

For younger children, use positive words to encourage them. Talk about how glasses are like magic, letting them see beautiful things around them. Show them how a pretty flower or a bright red truck looks with the glasses on, and how different it looks with the glasses off. For older kids, throw in a little pop culture. Tell them how trendy they’ll look by showing them pictures of celebrities who also wear glasses. You’ll also rack up some cool parent points.

At Eye Trends, we have the experience and unique approach to children’s eyewear that will make your kids want to wear their glasses. Schedule an eye exam today – you can book an appointment online right here. If you have any questions or concerns, give us a call and we’ll be glad to help.

Call Eye Trends on 936-206-7366 to schedule an eye exam with our Conroe optometrist. Alternatively book an appointment online here CLICK FOR AN APPOINTMENT

Just in case you missed them, here are some of our previous blog posts :

Why Are Eye Exams Important?

How Is Vision Affected By Online Learning?

Some computer vision syndrome symptoms include:

These symptoms can be caused by a combination of the following factors:

Q&A

1. At what age should a child have an eye exam?

2. Does my child need an eye exam if they passed the school vision screening?

Should you take your kid’s iPad away to help avoid iPad eye strain?

Link between eyesight and iPads for Children

Blue light emissions

How to safeguard kids’ eyes

Book an eye exam near you

Want to Learn More? Read on!

Are dilating eye drops necessary for kids?

Why insert dilating eye drops for a pediatric eye exam?

How are the dilating eye drops delivered?

How long does the dilation last?

What are the side effects of dilating eye drops?

The value of pediatric eye exams with dilation

Want to Learn More? Read on!

What Is Vision Therapy?

Improved Vision Can Impact Confidence Levels

What is myopia?

How can nearsighted vision affect school performance?

What are warning signs of myopia?

How is myopia treated?

Want to Learn More? Read on!

How Does Spending Time Outdoors Benefit Myopia?

Why Is Slowing Myopia Progression So Important?

Signs of Myopia in Children

Expert eye care in Conroe

Why kids need eye exams

Why adults need eye exams

Advanced eye care in Conroe – Where we watch your vision

Want to Learn More? Read on!

What Makes Myopia Management An Excellent Gift?

Eye health tips for students from our Conroe eye doctor

Symptoms of computer vision syndrome

Basics of blue light

How to avoid computer vision syndrome

For additional info, book a consultation and eye exam at Eye Trends

Why Won’t My Child Wear His or Her Glasses?

Physical

Emotional

Social

How We Can Help

The Vision They Need, The Style They Want

What You Can Do to Help

Hours - All Offices

USEFUL INFO

Call Our Offices